River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1887-09-15
REMARKABLE ROMANCE.


inseparable.
We found time during our first wear
to explore Paris from end to end. But
from November to April Paris does not
present many charms after midnight.
and it was in November that theadven-
ture occurred which formed the basis Of
this story.
II was not far from y O'Clock when
We crossed Pont Neuf on the night in
question. and as we turned into the
gnay On the other side we saw a child
lying asleep on the sidewalk. with one
arm curved gracefully under her head
for a pillow
THAT pretty girl, said Trenholm,
observing the child with interest. The
moon shone brightly upon the quay,
and it was nearly a light a at noon
tide. .-She ought not to lie there. but
probably she has no better place. poor
thing
The child moved slightly in her sleep
and her brow contracted as though her
dreams were Of an unpleasant nature.
Then the lips parted. and in tired aud
discouraged tone the single word ..deja"
came forth.
Come on. | said. impatiently.
Yes" assented Treuh holm, but he
did not stir; and the next knew he
kreeling on the curbstone and stroking
back the child's long black hair, which
hung unbranded alout her face His
touch was so gentle that it did not
rouse her at tirst, and feared to urge
him too much lest my voice should dis
turb her. To nv discontinue the girl
suddenly opened 4 pair Of large black
eyes and gazed in establishment at the
unfamiliar face 50 near her own.
why are YOU sleeping here?' he
said TO the girl in French, DO YOU not
know that such thing Is very danger
Ous2"
The girl raised herself to a sitting
posture and said, ironically:
Where would you advise me to
lodge. monsieur? At the Grand Hotel?'
..Surelv at some other place than
this. responded Treholm. gravely.
''Oh. it Is very good, this place, said
the girl, looking him boldly in the eyes.
See the bricks are firm. they will not
break down. There Is plenty of air in
my chamber. and the rent Is cheap
What more could one ask?'
Treholm looked at her without the
trace Of a smile in answer to her ban
tering words. and presently she seemed
TO relent little beneath his earnest
gaze.
..Come. she said. II will tell YOU ALL
You are quite right. This chamber Is
not good. was on my way 10 a bet
ter one. See; / will show you where l
intended to sleep. II is there
We both started violently. For this
child had run TO the side of POnt Neuf
and was pointing down into the stream
below
Trenholm caught her roughly BY the
arm. as If he feared she was about to
plunge over the parapet-
..What Is that YOU are saying? You
are going 10 drown yOurself?
'.You are right, she replied ''And
why not? How many people do it.
every day YOU can see the boats fishing
fOr bodies. / know. / have watched
them | have been to the little build
ing back of NOtre Dame, also. The
persons on the slabs there are still a
Pont Neuf Is at this moment. To-
mOrrOw-nO. perhaps not till Wednes
day-but surely this week you will not
find me there if YOU care to look. And
now. mesSieurS, bon sOir.'
She started to leave us. but Trenholm
frightened his grasp on her arm.
Listen to me. he cried. why
would YOU do this2' Is It hunger?
Let me take you To a restaurant | will
pay for all you wish to eat.
The girl looked incredulous for
moment. but seemed to- believe him at
last. She shook her head. however
and threw back her long hair.
You would give me a support" she
said. VERY well. and then2 To-
morrow must eat. and the next day;
YES. even the day after that on. 1t Is
~ strange that people must continue
10 get hungry.
Then she tried To break away again.
hut he held her as if in wise.
Ny child. DO YOU think shall allow
Won to throw yourself into the Seize be-
fore nv very ewes? Of course not,
Come with me To nv hotel ia the Rue
de In SOrbOnne. and STAY ut least to-
night. Perhaps in the morning | can
get some reason into your head. I will
see that vou have food and a good bed
yes. and tomorrow. too. | will not let
You go away peunileSs. You must come
with me or'-for the girl still shook
her haad-..Or the gems d'armeS shall
lock You up"
She seemed frighted by the last
threat
1.-The gems d'armes. monsieur, Oh.
do not give me to them, But can not
90 to YOUR hotel. monSieur-to YOUR
room. Indeed. indeed, l can not" She
Redeemed like a rose. over her face and
neck
BAH exclaimed Trenholm. savageIy
..Will You understand nothing? You
shall have nv chamber. and | viii sleep
with my friend here; or. if you object
To that. there are many unoccUpied
rooms in the hotel You are not fool
enough 10 be afraid Of me. Answer,
Shall 1t be my hotel or the gems
d-armeS?" But the girl still protested:
Il would rather not. she answered.
pIeadingly Let me stay here and 90
To sleep where you found me- l will
promise YOU positively not to jump into
the Seine tonight.
..No." said Trenholm decidedly.
She drew a long breath. gave another
searching look At his face. and said:
LET Us 20, then.
The gareon looked slightly surprised
rs he handed Us our candles at the con-
cierge'S room and / deemed il a part Of
prudence to slip i've franc piece into
his hand. with a warning finger on my
lip We all went at first to Trenholm :
room where he talked long enough
with the girl to get an outline Of her
history. She was from Gascony. Her
father had s dozen children aud only